Dominant second half sees Cavan book a place in Croke Park

Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Premier Junior Camogie Semi-Final

Cavan 2-12

Kildare 1-9

Cavan booked their place in the Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Premier Junior Camogie Final with a superb second-half display as they came from two points down at the break to defeat Kildare by six points in a thrilling semi-final at Glenisk O'Connor Park, Tullamore.

Having led by seven points during a dominant opening quarter, Cavan found themselves behind at half-time as Kildare produced an impressive response. However, Philip Brady's side controlled the second half, restricting the Lilywhites to just a single point after the restart to secure a deserved victory and set up a Croke Park final meeting with Armagh on the weekend of August 8.

Cavan made a dream start and struck for the opening goal after just five minutes. Hannah Fitzsimons' sideline cut from a tight angle caused panic in the Kildare defence, with the sliotar slipping through the hands of a defender and into the net. Eimear Brady added a free before further scores helped Cavan establish a commanding 1-5 to 0-1 lead by the end of the opening quarter.

Kildare gradually worked their way back into the contest with Rebecca and Aoife McDermott leading the charge as they reeled off four unanswered points. Their comeback gathered further momentum when substitute Leah Sutton brilliantly volleyed to the net, leaving the sides level with five minutes remaining in the half.

Aoife Stynes and Niamh Keenaghan exchanged points before late scores from Aoife McDermott and Caoimhe Ní Bhuircéal edged Kildare into a 1-8 to 1-6 interval advantage.

Cavan dominated possession after the restart but had to wait nine minutes for their first score of the half, Shanise Fitzsimons settling nerves with a point before adding another to draw the sides level. Although Caoimhe Ní Bhuircéal briefly restored Kildare's advantage, that proved to be the visitors' final score of the game.

The decisive moment arrived midway through the second half when Shanise Fitzsimons delivered a high ball into the square and Niamh Keenaghan rose brilliantly to claim possession before finishing emphatically to the net.

That score swung the scoreboard momentum firmly in Cavan's favour and they never looked back. Eimear Brady, Orla Flynn and Róisín O'Keeffe all added points as Cavan closed out the game in impressive fashion, conceding just a single second-half point to seal a memorable 2-12 to 1-9 victory and a place in the All-Ireland Premier Junior Final against Armagh.